Template Coastal Scrub - ccma.vic.gov.au Scrub Fact Sheet... · wildlife that utilise the habitat...
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Corangamite Catchment Management Authority ABN: 60 355 974 029 PO Box 159, 64 Dennis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250 t: 03 5232 9100 f: 03 5232 2759 e: [email protected] w.www.ccma.vic.gov.au CORANGAMITE COAST - 1 - FACT SHEET4 The Dunes Sand dunes are dynamic systems, continually changing with the prevailing conditions and coastal disturbances. Vegetation in these environments commonly occur in bands or zones in response to coastal conditions. For example, colonising species such as Hairy Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus) and introduced Marram Grass (Ammophila arenaria), will rapidly establish on the foredune and stabilise the sand. Further from the ocean, where disturbance is not as great as the foredune, small tree and shrub species become more established e.g. Coast Beard-heath and Coast Wattle. These systems provide valuable protection from coastal storm surges and increased wave/tidal activity. Headlands The headlands and cliff tops of the Corangamite coastline are largely dominated by low growing shrub species due to their exposure to extreme salt-laden winds and sea-spray from the south-west 1 . Coastal Scrub The Corangamite coastline is known for its extremes, with windswept cliff tops to undulating sand dune environments. While these environments are exposed to extreme conditions such as poor nutrient levels and salt-laden winds and sea-spray, they are home to a diversity of vegetation types and provide habitat to a variety of native animals. Approximately 60 percent of all the Coastal Scrub vegetation has been cleared since European settlement 1 . Photo: The windswept cliff tops of the Corangamite coast near Port Campbell. Photograph Sarah Anderson
Transcript of Template Coastal Scrub - ccma.vic.gov.au Scrub Fact Sheet... · wildlife that utilise the habitat...
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority ABN: 60 355 974 029 PO Box 159, 64 Dennis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250 t: 03 5232 9100 f: 03 5232 2759 e: [email protected] w.www.ccma.vic.gov.au
C O R A N G A M I T E C O A S T
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F A C T S H E E T 4
The Dunes Sand dunes are dynamic systems, continually changing with the prevailing conditions and coastal disturbances. Vegetation in these environments commonly occur in bands or zones in response to coastal conditions. For example, colonising species such as Hairy Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus) and introduced Marram Grass (Ammophila arenaria), will rapidly establish on the foredune and stabilise the sand.
Further from the ocean, where disturbance is not as great as the foredune, small tree and shrub species become more established e.g. Coast Beard-heath and Coast Wattle. These systems provide valuable protection from coastal storm surges and increased wave/tidal activity. Headlands The headlands and cliff tops of the Corangamite coastline are largely dominated by low growing shrub species due to their exposure to extreme salt-laden winds and sea-spray from the south-west1.
Coastal Scrub The Corangamite coastline is known for its extremes, with windswept cliff tops to undulating sand dune environments. While these environments are exposed to extreme conditions such as poor nutrient levels and salt-laden winds and sea-spray, they are home to a diversity of vegetation types and provide habitat to a variety of native animals. Approximately 60 percent of all the Coastal Scrub vegetation has been cleared since European settlement1.
Photo: The windswept cliff tops of the Corangamite coast near Port Campbell. Photograph Sarah Anderson
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority ABN: 60 355 974 029 PO Box 159, 64 Dennis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250 t: 03 5232 9100 f: 03 5232 2759 e: [email protected] w.www.ccma.vic.gov.au
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What can you find in the Coastal Scrub ecosystem? The Coastal Scrub ecosystem is made up of a number of different Ecological Vegetation Classes. What is an Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC)? A collective of plant communities that are defined by a range of similar attributes e.g. plant types, location and distribution. Some Ecological Vegetation Classes you can find along the cliff tops and sand dunes of the Corangamite coast include: - Coastal Dune Scrub
- Coastal Headland Scrub
- Coastal Tussock Grassland
- Coastal Alkaline Scrub
All are either vulnerable, depleted or endangered across the Corangamite region.
Photo: The Corangamite Coast at Blanket Bay, Great Otway National Park. Photograph Sarah Anderson
Table: Typical species of Corangamite’s dunes and cliff tops1. Scientific name Common name
Melaleuca lanceolata ssp. lanceolata
Moonah
Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping Sheoak
Leptospermum laevigatum Coast Tea-tree*
Bursaria spinosa ssp. spinosa
Sweet Bursaria
Myoporum insulare Common Boobialla
Ozothamnus ferrugineus Tree Everlasting
Leptospermum continentale Prickly Tea-tree
Leptospermum scoparium Manuka
Leucopogon parviflorus Coast Beard-heath
Acacia longifolia ssp. sophorae
Coast Wattle*
Clematis microphylla Small-leaved Clematis
Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgee
Tetragonia implexicoma Bower Spinach
Epacris impressa Common Heath
Correa reflexa Common Correa
Lomandra longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush
Dianella brevicaulis Coast Flax-lily
Poa poiformis Coast Tussock-grass
Carpobrotus rossii Karkalla
*Can become invasive weeds in some communities.
Threats - Increased erosion of dune and cliff top
systems through unregulated human
access, leading to changes in dune shape
and stability e.g. blowouts and foredune
collapse.
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority ABN: 60 355 974 029 PO Box 159, 64 Dennis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250 t: 03 5232 9100 f: 03 5232 2759 e: [email protected] w.www.ccma.vic.gov.au
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- Increased urbanisation around the
coastline, resulting in fragmentation of
vegetation and increasing weed invasion
and spread.
- Increased predation of native fauna by introduced pests (e.g. foxes and cats) and domestic pets
What’s wrong with this photo?
Photo: Domestic cats increase competition and prey on the wildlife of Coastal Scrub vegetation. Photograph CCMA
Table: Some common weed species of Corangamite’s dunes and cliff tops . Scientific name Common name
Lycium ferocissimum African Box-thorn
Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
Lagurus ovatus Hare's-tail Grass
Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot
Rubus sp. aff. armeniacus Blackberry
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog
Ammophila arenaria Marram Grass
Chrysanthemoides monilifera Boneseed
Rhamnus alaternus Italian Buckthorn
Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper
Wildlife Due to the various vegetation types associated with the Coastal Scrub and the close proximity to other communities e.g. forests, woodlands, estuaries, wetlands and riparian zones, there is an abundance of wildlife that utilise the habitat of Coastal Scrub. Some of the wildlife include: - mammals (echidnas, antechinus, native
rats)
- marsupials (wallabies, kangaroos,
possums)
- woodland and heathland birds
(honeyeaters, scrubwrens, thornbills,
rosellas, currawongs, robins, parrots,
fairy-wrens)
- coastal birds (gulls, terns, waders, chats,
cormorants)
- birds of prey (eagles, falcons, kites,
harriers)1.
Photo: Coastal Scrub vegetation of the Port Campbell National Park. Photograph Sarah Anderson
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority ABN: 60 355 974 029 PO Box 159, 64 Dennis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250 t: 03 5232 9100 f: 03 5232 2759 e: [email protected] w.www.ccma.vic.gov.au
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What can you do? There are a number ways you can help protect Coastal Scrub ecosystems, to ensure its survival, these include:
- using designated tracks and beach access points, to avoid trampling vegetation,
- keeping dogs on leads and picking up their waste to avoid increased nutrient levels and limit disturbance to native animals,
- recycle waste and dispose of garden waste appropriately instead of dumping it as this is a number one cause of weed invasion,
- join a local community group and become a volunteer e.g. Landcare and local friends groups.
Photo: Coastal Scrub vegetation on the cliff tops of the Port
Campbell National Park. Photograph Sarah Anderson
Photographs Photographs courtesy of Sarah Anderson and Corangamite CMA (CCMA). References 1. Viridians Biological Databases (2005). Flora
Information System. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.
